There’s something magical about the pairing of raspberry and coconut—sweet, tangy, buttery, and lightly tropical. These Raspberry Jam Bar Tartlets with Coconut Crumble are a delightful fusion of nostalgic jam bars and elegant tartlets, offering both visual charm and irresistible flavor. With a rich shortbread-style base, a vibrant layer of raspberry jam, and a golden coconut crumble topping, each bite delivers just the right balance of crisp, chewy, and fruity.
Perfect for tea parties, holiday platters, bake sales, or a sweet afternoon snack, these tartlets look impressive but are surprisingly simple to make. In this article, you’ll discover everything from the ingredients and baking steps to tips on presentation, variations, and nutritional info.
Why These Tartlets Are Worth Making
Raspberry jam bars are already a fan favorite, but when presented in tartlet form, they become individual portions of pure joy. Add the crunchy-sweet coconut topping, and you’ve got a show-stopping dessert that’s:
- Beautifully Portioned: No slicing required—each tartlet is baked in its own cup.
- Packed with Flavor: Sweet raspberry jam meets rich buttery crust and toasted coconut.
- Texture-Rich: Creamy, crisp, chewy, and crumbly all in one bite.
- Easy to Make Ahead: These tartlets store well and freeze beautifully, making them ideal for entertaining.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the crust and base:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the filling:
- ¾ to 1 cup raspberry jam (seedless or regular)
For the coconut crumble topping:
- ¾ cup shredded sweetened coconut
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar, packed
- 4 tablespoons cold butter, cubed
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Prep and Bake Time
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25–30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12–15 tartlets (depending on size of pan)
Instructions
1. Preheat and Prepare Pans
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a muffin tin or tartlet pans. You can also use silicone muffin cups for easy release.
2. Make the Crust
In a medium bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until creamy. Mix in vanilla. Add flour and salt, and mix until a soft dough forms.
Press about 1–2 tablespoons of dough into each muffin cup, pressing evenly into the bottom and slightly up the sides to form a shell.
3. Add the Jam
Spoon 1 to 1½ teaspoons of raspberry jam into each crust. Don’t overfill, as the jam will bubble during baking.
4. Make the Coconut Crumble
In a small bowl, combine coconut, flour, brown sugar, and salt. Cut in the cold butter with a fork or pastry cutter until crumbly. Sprinkle the mixture generously over each tartlet.
5. Bake
Bake for 25–30 minutes or until the coconut topping is golden brown and the jam is bubbling slightly. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely in the pan before removing.
6. Serve or Store
Once cooled, gently remove the tartlets and serve. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.
Nutritional Information (Per Tartlet)
Based on 15 tartlets:
- Calories: ~230
- Fat: 13g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Sugar: 15g
- Protein: 2g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fiber: 1g
These are indulgent, buttery treats, perfect for an occasional sweet splurge or special celebration.
Presentation Tips
- Dress Them Up: Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with a simple glaze (powdered sugar + milk) for a bakery-style finish.
- Tartlet Liners: Use decorative paper or foil liners to make them stand out on a serving tray.
- Serve with Cream: Add a dollop of whipped cream or crème fraîche on the side for a decadent touch.
- Seasonal Twist: Garnish with a fresh raspberry or mint leaf for spring or summer events.
Variations and Ideas
- Flavor Swaps: Try this recipe with apricot, strawberry, or blackberry jam for different fruit profiles.
- Nutty Addition: Add chopped pecans or almonds to the crumble for extra crunch.
- Coconut-Free Option: Skip the coconut and replace with oats or more flour in the topping.
- Make It Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in both crust and topping.
These tartlets are wonderfully versatile—you can adjust them to suit whatever you have on hand or tailor them to dietary needs.
Raspberry Jam Bar Tartlets with Coconut Crumble are everything you want in a dessert: simple yet sophisticated, comforting yet exciting. They blend nostalgic jam bar flavors with a fresh twist, making them perfect for any occasion—from baby showers to brunch tables and everything in between.
Not only are they easy to make, but they also offer a visually stunning result that looks far more complex than the effort required. With a buttery base, vibrant jam center, and sweet coconut crunch, these tartlets are sure to be devoured by kids and adults alike.
So go ahead—gather your ingredients, preheat the oven, and bake up a batch of tartlets that taste like sunshine and sweetness in every bite.